2010 - 2011 Public Health Courses

PUBH

101

Introduction to Public Health

(3)

Introduction to Public Health is an introductory course in public health concepts for undergraduate public health students as well as other students interested in an overview of health at a community level. The course will familiarize students with the various, multidisciplinary aspects of public health, including the history of public health, overview of public health professions, basics of epidemiology, health information and communication, health policy and law, health promotion, overview of infectious and chronic diseases, access to healthcare, health care systems, and disaster preparedness and management. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and group exercises and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

110

Health Professions and Organizations

(3)

An overview of how health care is administered and organized at the local, national and international levels. Contemporary case studies, such as regional wars and refugee crises, global disease pandemics, international environmental crises, and global disease eradication efforts will be used to highlight the role of these organizations in global health care administration. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and group exercises and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

210

Infectious and Chronic Diseases

(3)

Revieww the important infectious and chronic diseases affecting humans, both historic and contemporary. The major organisms that cause infectious disease will be discussed, as well as lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that predispose to both infectious and chronic disease. Individual diseases will also be discussed, reviewing basics of epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical features and treatment for the disease. Finally, a broader overview of the ecology of disease will be discussed, such as the epidemiologic and demographic transition; the emergence and re-emergence of diseases once thought to be controlled; the challenges of preventing, controlling and treating chronic diseases; and the increasing evidence showing the link between infectious agents and chronic diseases. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and group exercises and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

250

Global Health

(4)

This course is an introduction to global health for undergraduate public health students as well as other students interested in understanding health on a global scale. Students in this course will be introduced to public health concepts related to global health, the role of globalization in the spread of illness, the link between socioeconomic factors and health, the role of politics and governments in health, key diseases and conditions in global health, the role of culture and social factors in health, and key organizations and their role in global health. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and practical applications and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

305

Epidemiology

(4)

Introduces epidemiology for undergraduate public health students as well as other students interested in understanding the dynamics of disease in populations. This course will familiarize students with epidemiology and epidemiologic tools so that they will understand the complexities of disease dynamics in human populations, and ultimately apply these tools to public health practice, critical evaluation of health research, and proper application of epidemiology in conducting valid health research. We will cover topics such as the history of epidemiology, ethics and epidemiology, study design, measures of disease distribution and association, hypothesis testing, and the application of epidemiologic principles to pubic health practice. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and practical applications and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

310

Social and Behavioral Science in Public Health

(4)

This course will cover the basic theoretical underpinnings of human behavior, both at the individual and population levels. Utilizing this framework, this course will analyze the social and behavioral determinants to health, such as culture, socioeconomic class, gender, etc. Finally, these theories will be applied to various real-world settings, from schools to mass communications to special-needs populations. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and practical applications and scenarios. Group work will be emphasized, with group projects and team presentations. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies.

PUBH

320

Environmental Health

(4)

This course examines the health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to control of the major environmental health problems in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include how the body reacts to environmental pollutants; physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination; vectors for dissemination (air, water, soil); solid and hazardous waste; susceptible populations; biomarkers and risk analysis; the scientific basis for policy decisions; and emerging global environmental health problems. The course will be a combination of lecture, discussion and practical applications and scenarios. Concepts will be reinforced with historical and contemporary examples and case studies, particularly those from the state of Utah.

PUBH

490

Capstone Public Health Research Project

(4)

Provides students an opportunity to synthesize all previous course work and practical experience to generate an evidence-based public health research project. Students will, with the guidance of a faculty mentor, choose a research topic, and by attending periodic workshops and lectures and by submitting intermediate assignments during the duration of the research project, generate a submission-quality research paper and present the results in a seminar. Faculty mentors will provide guidance along each step, and lectures and workshops will provide information on topics such as statistical analysis, scientific writing, literature search, data management, IRB submissions, and presentation skills. The course will culminate in a presentation of the research project by the student at a seminar, and potentially submission of a publication-quality research paper.